17 weeks

How far along? 17 weeks (baby is 5 inches long & the size of a turnip)

Symptoms: not too many that are bothersome. The heartburn is better, the nausea is still gone & I still love to take my afternoon naps!

Weight gain/loss: +1 lb for a total of 7 lbs gained - ugh, creeping up the scale!!

Maternity clothes? a few - the shirt in the pic above is a maternity top & is SO comfy. It is one that I ordered from Motherhood Maternity last week & I am thinking I might have to order another one in a different color!

Sleep: no problems falling asleep but still struggle to fall back asleep after the 4am bathroom call.

Food cravings/aversions: still eating a lot of salads & loving the carbs

Movement? yes, feeling more & more of the little "flutters" - especially while laying on my back

What I miss? sleeping all the way through the night

Best moment(s) this week: spending the weekend with my mom

What I'm looking forward to: seeing Baby T again at our 20 week ultrasound on Sept 21st

Next Appointment: Thursday, Sept 6th - 18 week appointment with my OB

Milestones: Baby T's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, the umbilical cord is growing stronger & thicker, baby can move his/her joints & the sweat glands are starting to develop.

16 weeks

 

How far along? 16 weeks (baby is 4 1/2 inches long & the size of an avocado)

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good. Experiencing more frequent heartburn but that is really it as far as symptoms go.

Weight gain/loss: +1 lb (total of 6 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. Got my package from Motherhood Maternity this past week & love the 3 things I ordered. Can't wait to wear them this fall :)

Sleep: the middle of the night "pee-fests" have decreased greatly which I am thankful for. Received my Snoogle in the mail this past week & not sure if I love it or not. Still trying to figure that thing out. However, I have busted my hubby a few times curled up with it so I'm thinking he may like it more than me - lol :)

Food cravings/aversions: been craving salads this past week for some reason!?

Movement? still feeling little "flutters" while laying on my back at night so I think this just might be baby moving around

What I miss? ice cold beer/wine - especially during my birthday celebrations this past week

Best moment(s) this week: celebrating my 40th birthday with all my close friends.

What I'm looking forward to: seeing my mom at the end of the week. She is visiting us from South Dakota for the weekend. Lots of fun stuff planned!

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T's legs are much more developed, the head is more erect than it has been & the eyes have moved closer to the front of the head. The ears are close to their final position & the toenails have started to grow. Also, Baby T's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day & this amount will continue to increase as baby continues to develop.

15 weeks

How far along? 15 weeks (baby is 4 inches long & the size of an apple)

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good. Experiencing more frequent heartburn but that is really it as far as symptoms go.

Weight gain/loss: 0 lbs (still a total of 5 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. Just using what I already have in my closest which seems to be working out so far. I did order a few things for fall that were on sale at Motherhood Maternity yesterday so looking forward to getting those in the mail.

Sleep: still sleeping pretty good. I ordered a Snoogle mini body pillow to help me not roll onto my back (which I do all the time) so that should arrive early this week. Hoping it works!

Food cravings/aversions: not really "craving" anything. Still steering clear from coffee & Mexican food & still have a weakness for potatoes - especially mashed!

Movement? This week I noticed that when I am laying on my back at night, I think I can feel Baby T moving. I can sometimes feel little flutters above my pubic bone so I am thinking this is baby? Or maybe it is gas...who knows??

What I miss? an ice cold beer & reading on the patio. It has been way too hot here to enjoy doing anything outside.

Best moment(s) this week: pre-birthday celebratory dinner with my girlfriends & a surprise appearance by my bestie Deanna who lives in Austin, TX :)

What I'm looking forward to: celebrating my 40th birthday this week - all kinds of social gatherings planned for the week :)

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose & upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. The legs are growing longer than the arms now, & baby can move all of his/her joints & limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, baby can sense light & the taste buds are being formed. If I were to have an ultrasound this week, we would be able to find out whether the baby's a boy or a girl! Unfortunately, that US isn't for another 5 weeks :(

Results

The nurse called today from the Perinatologist's office with my lab results from the MaterniT21 test. Unfortunately, I was away from my phone so she left a message. I was SO nervous listening to that message that I had to play it twice just to make sure I heard the information correctly!

NEGATIVE!!!

For Down's AND Trisomy 13/18!

Thank you God - I couldn't feel more blessed. One more hurdle crossed...

14 weeks

Goodbye 1st trimester....HELLO 2nd trimester :)

I went to see my OB this afternoon for my 14 week checkup. She did the usual - checked my urine for glucose which there was none & my blood pressure which was low so all checked out ok. She said my weight was right where it should be so that is good. I got to hear the heartbeat also which was ticking away at 148 bpm. I will never get tired of that sound!! She also gave me the "go-ahead" to resume "intimate relations" with the hubby so I know he will be one happy camper when hears this :)

So, all in all things are going really well & I have no complaints. And without further ado, here is the update I know a few of you have been anxiously awaiting...

*I didn't have time to take my usual pic this week but this is from Saturday evening which shows my "baby bump" pretty good. I went with my friend Jilly to the J-Lo/Enrique concert & it was a fabulous time!

How far along? 14 weeks (baby is 3 1/2 inches long & the size of a lemon)

Symptoms: The nausea is gone & my energy is back! Woo hoo - glad to finally be feeling back to myself. However, I'm not really crazy about these DD's I am carrying around ;)

Weight gain/loss: +2 lbs (for a total of 5 lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? not yet. I did however buy my first maternity t-shirt at Kohl's this weekend but it is still a little too big to wear yet. My sister also sent me some maternity tops for the fall, a pair of jeans & a pair of shorts to wear which all fit pretty good. I also went through my closet & pulled out what clothes I could wear as "maternity" clothes (tunic tops, sweaters, leggings, etc) & mix/matched some outfits for the fall. I was surprised at how many outfits I actually do have in my own closet that will work!

Sleep: no problems other than still waking up to pee at 4am & not being able to fall back asleep. Will this ever end??

Food cravings/aversions: now that I am feeling better, I am trying to eat less of the "comfort" foods & add healthier items into my diet. Still can't give up my potatoes though!!

Movement? none yet

What I miss? honestly?? my "C" cup boobs - lol :)

Best moment(s) this week: seeing my girlfriend Desiree & leaving behind the 1st trimester

What I'm looking forward to: feeling the baby move

Next Appointment: August 23rd- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) blood draw to see if the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly.

Milestones: Baby T can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, & suck his/her thumb! Facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid around him/her. An ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, is starting to develop all over his/her body. The liver starts making bile this week & the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells.

13 weeks

This is my last week in the 1st trimester - which I find hard to believe that I have even gotten to this point! These past couple of months have been so surreal & sometimes I feel like this isn't really happening to us. I'm hoping this feeling of being pregnant will start sinking in soon & I can get to a point where I can relax a bit. Still just taking it one day at a time... 

*remind me not to where plaid - or maybe just this dress?! I think the plaid makes my "baby bump" look way bigger than it actually is!

How far along? 13 weeks (baby is almost 3 inches long & the size of a medium shrimp) 

Symptoms: I think I have gained a cup size in my boobs & am going to need to buy some bigger bras soon. They are also SO very sore. Still feel a little nauseated in the morning & when I am feeling hungry. The fatigue & exhaustion are slowly starting to fade & I am starting to feel back to "normal" once again.

Weight gain/loss: + 1 lb (back at a total of 3 lbs gained from my starting weight which is right where I should be for the end of the 1st trimester)

Maternity clothes? not yet

Sleep: still easily falling asleep & can now make it to 4:30am without having to get up to pee. Still can't fall back asleep though once I have gotten up :(

Food cravings/aversions: Still loving the tomato, basil, mozzarella panini's. Still not wanting any coffee, mexican, or my absolute favorite snack: popcorn.

Movement? can't feel any yet

What I miss? I actually miss being able to wear all my cute shorts - especially since it has been so flippin' hot here!!

Best moment this week: last week in the 1st trimester

What I'm looking forward to: starting the 2nd trimester next week

Next Appointment: 14 week visit with the OB on August, 6th 

Milestones: Baby T's fingerprints have formed on the tiny fingertips, the veins & organs are clearly visible through the very thin skin, & the body is starting to catch up with the head — which makes up just a third of the body size now.

1st trimester screening

Today I had my 1st trimester screening ultrasound & even though it went well, it was not what I had expected. I guess you could say I was a bit disappointed with how it went. 

We first met with a genetics counselor who went over both our medical & family histories as well as what kinds of chromosomal abnormalities the tests will be able to tell us. We were told that just based on my age alone, we have a 1:74 chance of having a baby with Down's & a 1:96 chance of having a baby with a Trisomy abnormality. Then we discussed what the Perinatologist will look for during the ultrasound & whether or not I was going to do the blood test that goes along with the screening.

Next was the ultrasound. The tech took us back to the room & got me ready. Then the Dr walked in, introduced herself & she was ALL business. There was no small talk, no warmth in her personality, no questions...nothing. She didn't even say one word to Shane. All she said was that she was going to take a look & started up with the scan. The scan itself took all of 2 minutes. She looked at the baby at different angles, froze some images, measured the crown/rump length, showed us the head, face, arms & legs, printed off 3 pics & that was it. No nuchal translucency measurement. No indication if the nasal bone was present or not. All she said was that "everything here looks real good so I want to see you back in 8 weeks." 

I don't know if I was stunned or in shock or what but I forgot to ask about the measurements & before I could think to ask them she was out the door. I was left alone with Shane to gather my things & I looked at him & said "what the hell just happened? was that all there is to it?" He was as stunned as I was.

Before the scan, we had decided to do the blood test so I don't know if because we were doing that then there was no need to do a nuchal measurement & worry us or what but I just thought it was strange & not very comforting. I know she said everything looked real good but I just felt like she was hiding something from us & that we didn't get the entire screening. I was a bit disappointed & a little pissed at how she had treated us.

As of last Nov, they have a new blood test called the MaterniT21 test which detects fetal DNA in the mother’s blood & reveals whether the fetus has the extra copy of chromosome 21 that causes Down syndrome. It is 99% accurate. It also can detect Trisomy 18 with 99% accuracy & Trisomy 13 with 91% accuracy. If the test is negative then it is pretty safe to say the baby has no chromosomal abnormalities. If the test is positive the next step is an amniocentesis just to verify 100% what the abnormality is. 

I discussed it with Shane & we both agreed that if there is something wrong with the baby, we would both want to know so that we were more prepared so I went ahead & did the blood test. The results will be back in 8-10 business days. Yes I am nervous for the results but I've decided I'm not going to worry about it until I have proof of something to worry about.

So that is how my appointment went. I guess all is good but for some reason I expected more. Regardless, we got to see Baby T again & that in itself made it all worth it!

12 weeks

*posted early just for you Cori :)

What a good feeling it is to be able to say I made it to 12 weeks! Only one more week to go & I will be moving on to 2nd trimester :)

How far along? 12 weeks (baby is just over 2 inches long & the size of a lime) 

Symptoms: The nausea is pretty much gone except when I first get up & still feeling pretty tired come mid-afternoon. Also this past week I have started getting heartburn more often which I have never had before. 

Weight gain/loss: Remember those 3 lbs I lost last week? Well, they quickly returned. Now I am back at 2 lbs above my starting weight. 

Maternity clothes? Not yet but I did buy a couple of knit "maxi dresses" this week for fall that are cute! I am loving how comfortable knit skirts & dresses are :)

Sleep: Still get up a couple of times to pee & still have trouble falling back to sleep after the 3am wake-up call. I am also a right-sided & back sleeper so I have started to consciously stop sleeping on my back but will end up waking up there :( I have read sleeping on the left side is best but I hate laying on my left - hopefully I get it figured out.

Food cravings: I have been on a "panini" kick this past week. I recently bought a panini press & will buy the ciabatta bread loaves at Panera Bread Co. I have been eating all kinds of different hot panini's & loving them. My favorite is the tomato, basil, mozzarella panini. So yummy!

Movement? no - too early to feel it but getting a sneak peek this week at Baby T I could see that he/she was moving all around in there.

What I miss? cold turkey sandwiches from Jimmy John's & Panera

Best moment this week: making it to my last week of the 1st trimester

What I'm looking forward to: another chance to see Baby T at our 1st trimester screening US this Friday

Next Appointment: 14 week visit with the OB on August, 6th 

Milestones: Baby T's fingers are beginning to open & close, toes can now curl, the eye muscles can clench, the mouth can make sucking movements, the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder, the eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, & the ears are right where they should be.

Sneak peek

Yesterday I was at work & had some time to take a little "sneak peek" at Baby T with our portable US machine. It doesn't produce the best images since it is a cardiac ultrasound machine - or maybe it could be that the operator is trying to press a probe into her belly with her right hand while trying to record the image on her phone with the left hand?!? LOL

Regardless, I think you can get a good idea that there is definitely a baby in there :) The image of Baby T fades in & out due to the fact that I was trying to press hard with the probe & move it around while trying to get a good image - not the easiest thing to do.

When you watch it, you will see that Baby T is hanging out, upside down at the top of my uterus. Head is on the right, legs kicking & moving around on the left, arms waving around in the bottom middle & you can see it's little heart beating in the middle above the arms.

Pretty amazing, huh? 

We have our 1st trimester screening ultrasound this Friday, July 27th. This is the ultrasound where they identify risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome, Trisomy-21 & Trisomy-18. I am a bit nervous about this one but am trying to convince myself it is out of my control what the results will be & I have to trust in the "big man upstairs" that everything will turn out ok. If not, I guess we cross that bridge when we get there.

Coming up...12 week update :)

11 weeks

Earlier this past week I ordered a hand-held fetal doppler off of eBay & got it on Thursday. As soon as I saw that it had arrived, I checked to see if i could here Baby T's heartbeat & after a few minutes of searching, there it was beating away at around 140+ beats per minute :) Such an amazing sound! 

I am glad to have gotten the doppler as it will hopefully provide some reassurance on those days when I am needing to know if everything is still ok - especially after my symptoms go away!

How far along? 11 weeks (baby is just over 1 1/2 inches long & the size of a fig)

Symptoms: The nausea still comes & goes but is tolerable. Around 3pm I hit a brick wall & the exhaustion sets in. Lovin' me some afternoon naps!

Weight gain/loss: Not sure how but I lost 3 lbs this week so I am now 1lb under my starting weight

Maternity clothes? Not yet. Lovin' my knit skirts & dresses though!

Sleep: I sleep pretty good up until around 3am when I need to get up to pee. Still having a lot of trouble falling back to sleep :(

Food cravings : Any kind of "comfort food", still enjoying my BLT's & loving watermelon & grapes. My love for Mexican food is long gone & some days I can't even stomach the thought of it :( Weird, huh?

Movement? no - to early

What I miss? a glass (or two) of red wine

Best moment this week: finding the heartbeat with my own doppler

What I'm looking forward to: Making it out of 1st trimester

Next Appointment: 14 week visit with the OB on August, 6th

Milestones: Baby T is now almost fully formed. The hands will soon open & close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, some of the bones are beginning to harden & baby is already busy kicking & stretching.

10 weeks

Had my 10 week appointment today with my favorite OB & I am so happy to report that all is good so far :) After a very long minute (felt like 10 min) my Dr. was able to find the heartbeat using a fetal doppler. It was loud & strong & fast & the most beautiful sound ever! Even my Dr. said she didn't expect it to be that fast but that it was a great sign that things are going well!

I won't see her again until August 6th for my 14 week appt & will have my 1st screening US sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. A little nervous about that one as this is the US where they can detect markers for Down's Syndrome & Trisomy abnormalities. Praying that everything checks out ok!

How far along? 10 weeks (baby is the size of a small strawberry)

Symptoms: The nausea is getting better - as long as I keep eating every 2 hours but the fatigue/exhaustion has really set in this week. I left work early a couple times last week just so I could go home & nap. 

Weight gain/loss: up another 1 lb (total of 2lbs gained)

Maternity clothes? No - but don't think I haven't been looking at the maternity section at Target & Old Navy thinking how comfy some of that stuff looks!

Sleep: No trouble falling asleep. Still getting up a couple of times a night to pee & the last few nights my 3am "pee-fest" keeps me awake until about 5am :(

Food cravings : Still loving my potatoes but have also been on a Caesar salad & BLT kick with the awesome garden tomatoes the neighbor brought over & also loving watermelon.

Movement? no - to early

What I miss? still missing those turkey sandwiches :(

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat on the doppler!

What I'm looking forward to: Making it to 12 weeks

Next Appointment: 14 week visit with the OB on August, 6th

Milestones: Baby T was considered an embryo last week & a fetus this week, is almost 1.5 inches long, is constantly moving even though I don't feel anything yet, all of the organs, muscles, & nerves are in place & beginning to function & the touch pads on the fingers have formed & already have fingerprints - absolutely amazing!

9 weeks

I have struggled for the last few days on when would be a good time to start the baby bump pics & updates. I was going to wait until 12 weeks but figured since everything was going so well that I would go ahead & start today. I probably won't post pics every week at first, but will try & at least do the updates. 

I did an US check at work again today & saw a strong heartbeat so that helped make my decision also. It just might burn me in the ass later on but what the hell. Here goes nothing...

How far along? 9 weeks (baby is the size of a grape - however this bloat I am feeling makes me look 5 mos pregnant) 

Symptoms: Still feeling the waves of nausea from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. Eating every 2 hours seems to help as well as sucking on Jolly Ranchers throughout the day :) Also, my boobs really ache & are busting out of my bra - might be time to upsize!!

Weight gain/loss: up 1 lb

Maternity clothes? Not yet but this bloat I have is making it impossible to fit into any shorts/capri pants that zip or button. Went to Old Navy today & purchased a few knit dresses & knit skirts for a more comfortable fit around the waistline :)

Sleep: No trouble falling asleep or staying asleep yet but wake up at least 3 times a night to get up to pee.

Food cravings : Carbs - especially potatoes. They can be mashed, boiled, baked, roasted, fried - I don't care - they are all good!!

Movement? no - way to early for that

What I miss? Turkey sandwiches & an ice cold beer

Best moment this week: Getting to 9 weeks with a strong heartbeat - farthest I've ever gotten.

What I'm looking forward to: Making it to 12 weeks

Next Appointment: 10 week visit with the OB on Monday, July 9th

 
Milestones: Baby T is nearly an inch long. The heart has formed all 4 chambers & the valves start to form this week as do the little teeth. Eyes are fully formed & the baby has tiny earlobes. Amazing for being just one inch long!!